movieguy Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Equality Ride Rolls Across The Heartland by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff March 19, 2006 - 11:00 am ET (Jackson, Tennessee) A bus carrying carrying several dozen young gay activists headed west on Sunday, bound for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma. Oral Roberts will be the fifth school to be targeted by the Equality Ride a 51 day cross-country trip organized by the nondenominational group Soulforce to draw attention to colleges and military academies that discriminate against LGBT students. A spokesperson for the university, founded by televangelist Oral Roberts, declined to say if the group would be welcomed onto the campus. Riders already have been arrested at two Christian colleges, allowed on campus at a third and not prevented from speaking at as fourth. The riders will arrive at Oral Roberts on Monday. Saturday there were more members of the media than students when the riders held a rally at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. The school's handbook says that students can be expelled for "homosexuality, homosexual activity or cohabitation". Other grounds for expulsion include premarital sex, extramarital sex or the appearance of engaging in sex outside of marriage. Two of the speakers Saturday found out about the rules the hard way. Dawn Davridge said that she and her partner, Kathryn Davridge, were expelled from Union two years ago after administrators found out they are lesbians ;and in a relationship. "I fell in love with my best friend," Davridge told about a dozen students who gathered to hear from the riders. "I am not sick, and I am not a sinner. Two years ago, our story was suppressed." Organizers of the Equality Ride said they were not concerned about the small turnout Saturday, noting that it was the beginning of the school's March break. Thursday and Friday the riders were at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee were they were allowed on campus to meet individually with students. (story) But late Thursday night their bus was defaced when someone spray painted “Fags Mobile” in foot-high pink letters on the side of the bus as it was parked at a Cleveland hotel. (story) Lee students joined with Soulforce members in cleaning off the slur. Tuesday seven riders were arrested as they tried to enter Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (story) Regent, which is affiliated with Christian Broadcaster Pat Robertson, says it does not bar gay enrolment, but its student handbook states "...homosexual conduct or any other conduct, which violates Biblical standards, is prohibited." At their first stop 24 members of the group were arrested when the entered Jerry Falwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. (story) ©365Gay.com 2006 links Gay Equality Riders Arrested At Oral Roberts U by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff March 20, 2006 - 5:00 pm ET (Tulsa, Oklahoma) About seven members of the Soulforce Equality Ride were arrested when they ignored a warning from Oral Roberts University police not to enter the campus. Several dozen young gay activists are on a 51 day cross-country trip organized by the nondenominational group Soulforce to draw attention to colleges and military academies that discriminate against LGBT students. Their bus arrived in Tulsa Monday. The riders stood on the street, across from the main entrance to the university, and held hands as they said a prayer. The university created by televangelist Oral Roberts will not enroll openly gay students and students already enrolled that are found to be gay can be expelled. All students are required to sign an honor code that says, "I will not engage in or attempt to engage in any illicit, unscriptural Sexual Acts, which shall include ... any homosexual activity." One by one members of the Soulforce crossed the street. As they reached the gate to the school they were warned by ORU public safety director Gerald Isaacs that if they tried to enter the campus they would be arrested for trespassing. About seven of the riders kept on walking were arrested by Tulsa police. Oral Roberts was the fifth school to be targeted by the Equality Ride Saturday the riders held a rally at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. (story) Thursday and Friday the riders were at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee were they were allowed on campus to meet individually with students. (story) But late Thursday night their bus was defaced when someone spray painted “Fags Mobile” in foot-high pink letters on the side of the bus as it was parked at a Cleveland hotel. (story) Lee students joined with Soulforce members in cleaning off the slur. Tuesday seven riders were arrested as they tried to enter Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (story) Regent, which is affiliated with Christian Broadcaster Pat Robertson, says it does not bar gay enrolment, but its student handbook states "...homosexual conduct or any other conduct, which violates Biblical standards, is prohibited." At their first stop 24 members of the group were arrested when the entered Jerry Falwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. (story) ©365Gay.com 2006 links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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